Vehicle protector

ABSTRACT

A vehicle protector utilizes a plurality of plastic sheets each having one surface thereof covered with a soft resilient material. The soft side of the sheets are disposed covering the outermost surface of the front fenders, the front door panels and the remaining side panels of a motor vehicle. The sheets are cut so as to have their marginal edges substantially conform to the marginal edges of the portions of the vehicle which they are adapted to cover. A pair of elastic bands straddle the front grille portion of the vehicle and are secured to the leading marginal edges of the pair of sheets covering the front fenders. Another pair of elastic members join the pair of sheets covering the front fenders, residing on the hood of the vehicle. Snap fasteners secure the trailing edge of the front fender cover sheets to the body of the vehicle adjacent the leading edge of the front doors. Another pair of sheets cover the front doors and are adapted with openings accommodating door handles and sideview mirrors. The cover sheets for the doors utilize snap fasteners to secure to the leading edge of the front doors and hook-like plastic members to secure the remaining marginal edges of the door cover sheets by capturing portions of the marginal edges of the front doors. A third pair of sheets cover the remaining side panels of the vehicle utilizing plastic hook-like members to capture portions of the marginal edges of the remaining side panels and a third pair of elastic bands, joining to each of the third pair of cover sheets straddling the rear portion of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. The Field of the Invention

This invention relates to vehicle protectors and more particularly tothat class adapted to be removably secured to selected portions of thefenders and side panels of a motor vehicle.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The prior art abounds with vehicle protectors.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,994,356 issued on Aug. 1, 1961 to S. W. Fleming teachesa shroud-like cover adapted to entirely enclose the above groundportions of a vehicle utilizing a single flexible sheet assemblytherefor.

The Fleming invention is typical of the various devices which totallyand completely shroud the vehicle in a tent-like structure.

Such protective devices, though effective for their particular purposes,must be removed before the vehicle may be inspected or operated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a flexiblevehicle protector which permits the vehicle to be operated whilstselective portions of the vehicle are afforded protection from roadhazards and dirt accumulations.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicleprotector which may be easily and conveniently installed and removedfrom the exterior surface of the vehicle protected thereby.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicleprotector whose vehicle contacting surfaces are appropriately paddedthereby protecting the finish of the vehicle.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicleprotector in accordance with the preceding objects, which is simple inconstruction, relatively inexpensive and effective for its particularpurposes.

Four wheel drive vehicles, such as vans, pick-ups or campers are oftensubject to the extra hazardous conditions encountered by driving thesevehicles over rough rural roads and terrain. Rock shards, stones orother flying debris can quickly deteriorate the finely finished exteriorsurfaces of these vehicles. Furthermore, vehicles are oftentimes storedby vehicle dealers for extended periods of time between the date ofpurchase and date of delivery in open areas. Protective devices tend tominimize the effects of the weather and flying debris caused by adjacentmoving vehicles. The present invention provides easily removed flexiblecovers protecting these vehicles whilst enabling these vehicles to beoperated in a normal operating condition.

These objects as well as other objects of the present invention willbecome more readily apparent after reading the following description ofthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a portion of the present inventionshown installed on a motor vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of another portion of the presentinvention shown installed on another portion of a motor vehicle.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation cross-sectional view of a portion of thepresent invention and a portion of the vehicle shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation cross-sectional view of another portion ofthe present invention and another portion of the vehicle, shown in FIG.2, including a rear wheel thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The structure and method of fabrication of the present invention isapplicable to a plurality of flexible sheet members, each adapted tocover selected portions of the body of a motor vehicle. A first pair ofsheets may be removably affixed to the front fenders of the vehicle. Asecond pair of sheets may be removably affixed to the front door panelsof the vehicle. A third pair of sheets may be removably affixed to theremaining side panels of the vehicle. A first and second pair of elasticbands join each of the sheets in the first pair of sheets, being adaptedto cover the hood portions and the grille portions of the vehicle. Thetrailing edge of the first pair of sheets utilizes a plurality of snapfastener elements to fasten to complementary snap fastening elementssecured to the body of the vehicle along a line parallel to the leadingedge of the door panel.

The second pair of sheets utilizes a plurality of hook-like plasticmembers, preferably fabricated from polyamide plastic, to engage, bycapturing the marginal edges of the door panels. Another plurality ofsnap fasteners are secured to the leading edge of the second pair ofsheets engaging another quantity of complementary snap fasteners securedto the motor vehicle along a line parallel to the leading edge of thefront doors. Openings are provided for door handles and side view mirrorassemblies so that they may protrude through the second pair of sheets.The third pair of sheets utilizes another plurality of plastic hook-likemembers to engage, by capturing the marginal edges of the remaining sidepanels of the vehicle. The third pair of elastic bands straddle the rearportions of the vehicle.

The outermost surface of the flexible sheets may be fabricated from aflexible plastic material, possessing waterproof properties, such aspolyvinyl chloride plastic.

Now referring to the figures, and more particularly to the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1 shown a motor vehicle 10 having a front fender 12shown covered by a flexible sheet 14. The other front fender, not shown,is similarly covered by an equivalent flexible sheet. Elastic bands 16are secured to flexible sheet 14 and straddle hood portion 18 of thevehicle, joining the other fender covering sheet, not shown. Elasticbands 20 are secured to flexible sheet 14 and straddle the grille 22 ofthe vehicle, joining the other fender covering sheet, not shown. Snapfasteners 24 are shown secured adjacent the trailing edge 26 of coversheet 14. They engage a plurality of complementary snap fasteners, notshown, secured to the surface of the vehicle. Motor vehicle 10 is shownhaving a front door panel 28 covered by a flexible sheet 30. The otherfront door panel, not shown, is similarly covered by an equivalentflexible sheet. Snap fasteners 32 are shown secured adjacent the leadingedge 34 of sheet 30. They engage a plurality of complementary snapfasteners, not shown, secured to the surface of the vehicle. Hook-likemembers 36 extend outwardly from the marginal edges of sheet 30 andengage the marginal edges of door panel 28 by wrapping around andcapturing portions of the marginal edges of the panel. Opening 38 isprovided to accommodate an exterior rear side view mirror mounted to thesurface of door panel 28. Opening 40 is provided to accommodate doorhandle 42 permitting convenient access thereto. Motor vehicle 10 is alsoshown having a side panel 44 covered by a flexible sheet 46. The otherside panel, not shown, is similarly covered by an equivalent flexiblesheet.

FIG. 2 shows the rear portions of motor vehicle 10, having the remainingside panel 44 thereof covered by flexible sheet 46. Hook-like members 48extend outwardly from the marginal edges of sheet 46 and engage themarginal edges of side panel 44 by wrapping around and capturingportions of the marginal edges of the side panel. At least one hook-likemember 48 is disosed within the rear wheel well 52, shown housing wheel50. Another pair of elastic bands 54 join sheet 46 and the opposedsheet, not shown, by straddling the rear surface 56 of the vehicle.

FIG. 3 illustrates remaining side panel 44 shown adjacent to the floor58 of vehicle 10. Hook-like members 48 are shown engaging the marginaledges 60 and 62 of side panel 44. Surface 64 of flexible sheet 46 iscomprised of a soft resilient-like material, such as that poly methanefoam, laminated to an exterior surface material 66, such as polyvinylchloride.

FIG. 4 shows rear wheel 50 being disposed accommodated partially withinwell 52. Side panel 44 is shown residing in part, over wheel well 52,and is covered by a portion of cover sheet 46, utilizing flexible hooks48 to engage marginal edges 60 and 62 of side panel 44.

One of the advantages of the present invention is a flexible vehicleprotector which permits the vehicle to be operated whilst selectiveportions of the vehicle are afforded protection from road hazards anddirt accumulations.

Another advantage of the present invention is a vehicle protector whichmay be easily and conveniently installed and removed from the exteriorsurface of the vehicle protected thereby.

Still another advantage of the present invention is a vehicle protectorwhose vehicle contacting surfaces are appropriately padded therebyprotecting the finish of the vehicle.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is a vehicle protector inaccordance with the preceding advantages, which is simple inconstruction, relatively inexpensive and effective for its particularpurposes.

Thus there is disclosed in the above description and in the drawings, anembodiment of the invention which fully and effectively accomplishes theobjects thereof. However, it will become apparent to those skilled inthe art, how to make variations and modifications to the instantinvention. Therefore, this invention is to be limited, not by thespecific disclosure herein, but only by the appending claims.

The embodiment of the invention is which an exclusive privilege orproperty is claimed are defined as follows:

I claim:
 1. A vehicle protector comprising a plurality of flexiblesheets, one surface of the sheets having a soft resilient-like covering,the other surface of each of the sheets being formed from a flexibleplastic waterproof material, a first pair of sheets having marginaledges substantially conforming to the marginal edges of the frontfenders of a vehicle, a first elastic flexible band fixedly secured atthe ends thereof to each of the sheets of said first pair of sheets,said first flexible band being disposed on the outermost surface of thehood of said vehicle when said first pair of sheets are disposedcovering said front fender, a second elastic flexible band beingdisposed joining each of said first pair of sheets, said second flexibleband being disposed covering the grille portion of said vehicle whensaid first pair of sheets are disposed covering said front fenders, afirst plurality of snap fasteners being disposed in spaced apartrelationship along one marginal edge of each of said first pair ofsheets, said first plurality of snap fasteners being disposed removablysecured to first complementary snap fasteners being disposed fixedlysecured in spaced apart relationship to the exterior surface of saidvehicle along first lines located adjacent to the leading marginal edgeof the frontmost doors of said vehicle, a second pair of sheets havingmarginal edges substantially conforming to the marginal edges to thedoor panels of said frontmost doors of said vehicle, a second pluralityof snap fasteners disposed in spaced apart relationship along onemarginal edge of each of said second pair of sheets, a first pluralityof hook-like members fixedly secured to and extending outwardly from theother marginal edges of said second pair of sheets, said secondplurality of snap fasteners being disposed removably secured to a secondplurality of complementary snap fasteners, said second plurality ofcomplementary snap fasteners being disposed fixedly secured in spacedapart relationship along second lines, said second lines being disposedparallel to said first lines, said first plurality of hook-like membersbeing disposed capturing a portion of said marginal edges of said doorpanels, a third pair of sheets having marginal edges substantiallyconforming to the substantially vertical remaining side panels of saidvehicle, a third elastic flexible band being disposed joining each ofsaid third pair of sheets, a second plurality of hook-like members beingdisposed fixedly secured to the marginal edges of each of said thirdpair of sheets, said second plurality of hook-like members beingdisposed capturing a portion of the marginal edges of said remainingside panels of said vehicle when said third pair of sheets are disposedcovering said remaining side panels of said vehicle, said third flexibleband being disposed at the rear end of said vehicle when said third pairof sheets are disposed covering said remaining side panels of saidvehicle.
 2. The vehicle protector as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidfirst and second plurality of hook-like members comprise a plasticmaterial.
 3. The vehicle protector as claimed in claim 2 wherein saidplastic material comprises polyamide.
 4. The vehicle protector asclaimed in claim 1 further comprising a first opening in each of saidsecond pair of sheets, each of said first openings being disposedadjacent to an exterior door handle affixed to each of said door panels.5. The vehicle protector as claimed in claim 1 further comprising asecond opening in one of said second pair of sheets, said second openingbeing disposed adjacent to a side view mirror attachment fixedly securedto one of said door panels.
 6. The vehicle protector as claimed in claim1 wherein said flexible plastic waterproof material comprises polyvinylchloride.